Maldives

The Maldives is a chain of 26 atolls of over 1,000 coral islands in total
running in a North-South line of about 500 miles roughly 430 miles South
West of Sri Lanka. It is one of the world's most geographically dispersed
nations and it is this fact that hits you when you arrive. The main
international airport, Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, is on Hulhule
island, next to the capital island, Male, but little more than a runway and
terminal buildings taking up the whole island. Our transfer to the resort
island was by boat (a fast dhoani) - so after leaving baggage claim we were
led to a quayside and shortly boarded a fast speedboat for the 40 minute
journey to Summer Island in North Male Atoll.

Once the boat left the airport quayside you quickly realised just how
spread out the Maldives are, only seeing roughly 3 miles from sea level to
the horizon the various islands appear as mere dots on the horizon and we
wondered exactly where our island would be. But eventually the roar of the
boat's engine eased off and Summer Island came into view : 500m long by
120m wide. Our walk along the jetty to the reception area was the last
that had to be done wearing shoes as the island paths are all sand and
easier to negotiate with bare feet.

Essentially a holiday in the Maldives is a relaxing beach holiday where the
choices are nothing more arduous than deciding what to read next, when to
snorkel or swim or when to go to dinner. However, we did take an excursion
to the capital Male for a tour around the city, its port and markets. But
the main draw of the islands is undoubtedly the idyllic beaches and warm
Indian Ocean, made more so by the ring of coral forming an lagoon around
the island, keeping out any colder currents and waves.

I will always remember the colourful fish swimming around my legs whilst
wading out into the lagoon, the dramatic lightning out to sea one night of
a tropical storm and the beauty and peace of the island.